MEMBERS of Macclesfield Town Forum raised concerns after Chestergate shop owners were told to “sharpen their pencils” when the town centre redevelopment is complete.

During a meeting at the town hall, MBC’s local plans manager Graham Childs said: “The whole premise of the development is to strengthen the town.

“We are not wanting to compete with Chestergate, but at the moment there is not much Sunday trading going on and they will have to sharpen their pencils.”

Councillor Stephen Broadhurst, landlord of the Bate Hall on Chestergate, replied: “When I heard you say that, I was personally thinking about finishing my business. There’s nothing positive about this.”

County councillor Barrie Hardern added: “I am quite concerned that Chestergate may fade into the mist.

“One of my concerns was that Macclesfield was going to become a clone of any other town up and down the county and there are several independent traders on Chestergate.”

After the meeting, Mr Childs told the Express: “I am sure that they will adjust to the new circumstances when they arrive. They will change to meet the challenge.”

At the meeting, Wilson Bowden’s planning director, Patrick Arthurs, focused on changes to the original plans for Water Street and Exchange Street as they believed it was an inefficient use of the site.

He said: “We have had an approach from a foodstore, so the number of car parking spaces would subsequently need to increase, and there will be better linkages to the community centre.”

Mr Arthurs told members the town square would be one of the focal points of the development.

“It is very unusual for a town of this size not to have a ceremonial space and this will give it a sense of occasion,” he said.

Independent councillor Brendan Murphy demanded to know why the development was behind schedule and how many pre-lets had been signed.

Mr Arthurs said: “We are six months behind schedule primarily because of the plans.

“We are still working on architects plans as we have been told by the community that any plans we move forward with must be in keeping with the overall essence of Macclesfield.

“We have signed up Debenhams, but we must be realistic as it is unlikely we will sign anyone else until we have planning permission.”